Has anyone typed up the modules that they can email me so that I don't have to stick Post-Its (or any other sticky paper stationary) all over my magazine for campaign changes I've done.
I don't think this has any copy right issues.
Er... typing up and distributing (freely or otherwise) someone else's work? Especially when we don't know if you actually have the modules in question? That is the very definition of breaking copyright...
It would be nice, I admit, if Paizo could offer .rtfd documents or something similar to those who have paid for the magazine, since I like to work in a "paperless" environment. But that's not really feasible or economic - so I type up what I need myself. But it's not something I would be comfortable with (or legal) sharing.
TK
Er... typing up and distributing (freely or otherwise) someone else's work? Especially when we don't know if you actually have the modules in question? That is the very definition of breaking copyright...
Oh yeah - must have been the kobold coming out in me.
It would be nice, I admit, if Paizo could offer .rtfd documents or something similar to those who have paid for the magazine, since I like to work in a "paperless" environment. But that's not really feasible or economic - so I type up what I need myself. But it's not something I would be comfortable with (or legal) sharing.
Yes it would nice - the powers that be would certainly know that I have the issues as I subscribed to them. Having a downloadable script would draw me back to subscribing to the magazine to counter having to wait three/four/five weeks after the magazine arrives in the shops before I get it on my doormat.
What a pain, guess I'll have to tippy-tappy type it up. Booo...!
What a pain, guess I'll have to tippy-tappy type it up. Booo...!
I always find typing it up really helps me review the adventure and get more familiar with it...
--Fang
What a pain, guess I'll have to tippy-tappy type it up. Booo...!I always find typing it up really helps me review the adventure and get more familiar with it...
--Fang
Indeed. This way you know to look up, for example, rules or spells that you are weak on, in advance, and have them typed up with the encounter you'll use them in.
And if you're a real rules-head like me, you'll also be able to pick out things from the adventures that are erroneous, so you don't go, "Wait, what?" at the table. (Like the mind flayer's blast DC and the map key and equipment for TFoE)
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What a pain, guess I'll have to tippy-tappy type it up. Booo...!I always find typing it up really helps me review the adventure and get more familiar with it...
--Fang
Indeed. This way you know to look up, for example, rules or spells that you are weak on, in advance, and have them typed up with the encounter you'll use them in.
And if you're a real rules-head like me, you'll also be able to pick out things from the adventures that are erroneous, so you don't go, "Wait, what?" at the table. (Like the mind flayer's blast DC and the map key and equipment for TFoE)
Hmmm, must have missed the problem with TFoE. Seemed to go well at any rate.
I type up all the stat blocks to help me out and print off the web enhancments. I just finished all the stat blocks for EBK which I will be starting in two weeks.
Hey Olmac, I saw from your obit. post that ya'll just fought the Aspect. How'd it go? We've had to take a couple of weeks off and that combined with the fact that I let the Faceless One go down like he was a commoner makes me want to have the fight with the Aspect be memorable. How long did it last for you? Where did they fight it and did you have to deal with squeezing etc.? Any tips about evil tricks that worked?
Anyway, sorry to jack this thread, but it seemed just about done with anyway.
Done! Ha! ;)
It seems like a lot of extra effort to type modules. I just use a highlight pen to call attention to items in the stat block that I don't want to forget, like a specific spell or power that the BBEG has available, and to draw my eye quickly to details I may need at a moment's notice, like the mechanics for an unusual feature in a room or the DC for a secret door.
I often type up a set of supplemental notes for myself, if I've decided to run something a different way or add something that's not in the original module--I've kept a running set of these for AoW as the modules come out and get discussed on the boards, and I sit down and refine them for each module as I prepare to run it. I've generally read each module 2-3 times by the time I run it, so it's pretty well in my head and I don't have to spend time shuffling papers and looking stuff up--if I really can't find something I remember is there, or if I forget something that is in the writeup until it's too late, I'll wing it or work around it.
I can see how typing the module would help solidify the DM's mastery of the dungeon, but getting the typed file from someone else kind of defeats that purpose of it.
I'm with both sides. I make electronic copies of the modules, but I do it by OCR (and all for my personal use, no distribution of these). I find that the electronic copy is helpful because then I can edit and slice it as needed. Each encounter then gets its own sheet, with the relevant map portion at the top and the monster segregated off so I can look at that sheet as necessary. Plus I can make rules notes to myself (like difficult terrain and such) when needed. And I can add in pictures of the bad guys figures so I can keep straight who is who (helpful when there are multiple unique NPCs).
Just some thoughts,
Crazy Duck
Seeing that there are lots of none-English-speaking players on the boards, did someone actually translate the flavour texts? I was thinking about doing this as translation on the fly is quite difficult (and sound sometimes awdkward), but do not have the time to do so, I am afraid, and my players are all very good at understanding English.
Seeing that there are lots of none-English-speaking players on the boards, did someone actually translate the flavour texts? I was thinking about doing this as translation on the fly is quite difficult (and sound sometimes awdkward), but do not have the time to do so, I am afraid, and my players are all very good at understanding English.
I read the adventure several times before playing and during the game session I describe everything in german. I don`t read the english flavour text. Because I am using the Kalamar Campaign setting I modify the handouts before giving it away to my players.
Anyway, sorry to jack this thread, but it seemed just about done with anyway.
Done! Ha! ;)
*bows humbly*
I shall never suggest something as preposterous as that again to the assemblage of renowns.
*exits stage left*
I use a full version of Adobe Acrobat to create my own pdf versions of adventures for use on my laptop at the game. Acrobat is an excellent DM's tool--one of the best, IMO. I can quickly pull together information from multiple printed sources into a single document, create bookmarks to specific information in the file, and add comments and annotations. For TFoE, which I'm currently running, I created a pdf of the adventure itself, then added the specific pages from the Monster Manual listed in the adventure. Afterwards I created bookmarks for each section, map and monster/NPC. During the game, I can quickly jump between these elements and keep the table clutter to a minimum.
I dislike the OCR function of Acrobat because it takes too much time to edit all of the mistakes that OCR inevitably makes. With well-placed bookmarks and a basic knowledge of the adventure, I don't need to search for anything with find text features. And, with the ability to add the equivalent of post-it notes in the form of annotations, I don't need to retype anything either.
Using a scanner to make copies of the maps is a good thing to do. This way if you want to mark up where players have been, it's not on the original map. I had a similar issue with Shackled City hardcover - it comes with all maps in one booklet. That booklet gets pretty worn pretty fast - much better to scan and save the original the wear and tear.
I usually type up everything I need for an adventure... Just to get more familiar with everything and to make sure I don't forget some small detail (like a key or a small bit of info.).
I type up every 'read-out descriptive text', monster stat, treasure and special notes on encounters and/or traps.
Since I've been doing this for quite a while (even before I had a computer I wrote down everything in the same way), it's less and less work, since I save my monster stats in a seperate file when I'm done. So now if I need a monster, I just find it on screen and copy/past it and modify it to fit what I need.
It really helps the flow of the game when we play.
Ultradan